Protections for Migratory Birds Vanish | Montana Audubon


Montana Audubon

Montana Audubon works at the local, state and national policy levels to protect our natural heritage.

MENU

Protections for Migratory Birds Vanish

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act turns 100 this year. That seems like cause for celebration. This Act has been the cornerstone of bird conservation, essentially prohibiting the killing of migratory birds without a permit. The act protects over 1,000 bird species, from rare birds also protected under the Endangered Species Act (e.g., Whooping Cranes), to common and abundant species such as ducks, swans, robins, owls, and bluebirds. To enforce the Act, misdemeanor and felony criminal penalties can be collected for the unauthorized killing of birds protected under the Act.

Alarmingly, the Act is facing an unprecedented attack. On December 22, 2017, the Trump Administration issued a new solicitor’s legal opinion which reverses the ‘incidental take’ provision of the Act. This new legal opinion is contrary to the long-standing interpretation of the Act by every Presidential Administration (Republican and Democrat) since at least the 1970s.

 

The new interpretation only protects birds that have been directly, intentionally killed by humans. That means, if a person intentionally kills a bird (e.g., directly shoots them), then they could be charged under the Act.

The long-standing interpretation of the law (effective before December 22, 2017) protected birds by prohibiting “incidental take” without being too onerous for industries. ‘Incidental take’ means that industries would no longer be held responsible for unintentional bird deaths resulting from their activities (think wind farms, etc.). Examples of incidental take of birds in Montana and the surrounding states:

  • Berkeley Pit: No protection for birds that land (and die) in the Berkeley Pit. The latest significant incident was when about 3,000 Snow Geese (and Ross’s Geese) died there in November 2016.
  • Pipeline Spills: there have been 2 pipeline spills with birds oiled on the Yellowstone River within the last 10 years (July 1, 2011 Silvertip Pipeline Spill, ExxonMobil pipeline, 1,500 barrels of oil, company paid $12 million in damages; January 17, 2015: Bridger Pipeline Company spilled crude oil into the Yellowstone River near Glendive, 42,000 gallons of oil spilled).
  • Oil Wastewater Pits: this is the main law that ensures oil companies will manage their wastewater pits to ensure that they don’t excessively kill birds during migration.
  • Wind Farms: this is the main law that ensures wind farms will not be located in areas where they might significantly kill birds (migration corridors or where Species of Concern nest).
  • Utility Line Electrocutions: this is the main law that ensures utility companies work to prevent bird (especially raptor) electrocutions on power lines.

NOTE: The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act still protects those two birds from incidental take.

If you are interested in learning about this issue, here are some places to start:

Photos: Photos on this page (Great Blue Heron, Common Loon, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Burrowing Owl, Snow Geese, Prairie Falcon, and American Robin) were taken by Bob Martinka.

Join Our Online Network

By joining our online network, you will receive timely conservation updates, action alerts, legislative news, our monthly eNews, information about upcoming events and more.

Make an Online Donation & Support Our Efforts

Montana Audubon depends on your financial support to continue our ambitious conservation work around the state.

Take Action

Take action on timely conservation issues Montana Audubon is engaged with. Your help will protect Montana’s birds and other wildlife into the future.

Montana Audubon - © Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved